Reedy Creek PTO urges black dads’ support

The first day of school is a good time for black men to show their support of children and education, according to the parent-teacher organization at Reedy Creek Elementary School in northeast Charlotte.

The first day of school is a good time for black men to show their support of children and education, according to the parent-teacher organization at Reedy Creek Elementary School in northeast Charlotte.

Reedy Creek’s PTO has encouraged black fathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers and others to take their children to school Monday, the opening day of classes for the 2014-15 academic year.

“When men are involved in the educational lives of their children, children perform better in school,” said Devonya Govan-Hunt, president of the Reedy Creek Elementary PTO.

Organizers of the effort say men in more than 700 cities across the country are participating in the event, which is sponsored by Black Star Project U.S.A. Organizers said they expect 1.1 million men to take their children to school on the first day. A separate effort, La Marcha De Un Millon De Padres, is aimed at Latino men.

Black Star Project U.S.A. has goals beyond the first day of school.

Organizers also are planning the 300 Minute Reading Challenge, with fathers and other men encouraged to read to their children for 30 minutes a day for 10 consecutive weeks. And they are encouraging men to advance their own education when possible.